Media Fellowships for Scientists

Applications are now open (closing date March 11th) for the British Science Association Media Fellowships Scheme. Around 10 of these are awarded each year and are designed to bridge the gap between career scientists and the media. Some details of the scheme from the official website:

Media Fellows spend 3-8 weeks working with a national press, broadcast or internet journalist to gain a greater awareness and understanding of the workings of the media and produce accurate and well-informed news pieces and work in the Press Centre at the British Science Festival.

Note, however, that the scheme is not intended for those who are changing career and wish to move into media and broadcasting – application criteria state that you must have a full time research position to go back to. In addition, you must also have at least two years of postgraduate experience in your field. Full details can be found on the Media Fellowship Website.

Posted by Calum Leckie, UCL Careers Service

 

Opportunities for arts and humanities researchers in India

I picked up this interesting news item from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) website, published on the 7th of August;

A major new report has been published that offers arts and humanities researchers in the UK a chance to better understand the potential funding and collaborative opportunities available to them in India. Commissioned by the AHRC, on behalf of Research Councils UK, this report presents an overview of the arts and humanities landscape in Inda through mapping the centres of excellence and funders. The report also highlights the strengths and challenges of Indian research in the arts and humanities.

A copy of  the report can be accessed via the RCUK website, but you can download a copy of the document directly, in PDF format, by clicking here. You may also like to check out our own information sheet on Indian research opportunites to be found on the  ‘International Academic Careers’ page of the Research Staff Careers website (www.ucl.ac.uk/researchcareers).

Posted by Calum Leckie, UCL Careers Service

Top Tips for Gaining a Lectureship

Last summer I attended an event for careers advisers working with University researchers, organised by the Assocation of Graduate Careers Advisery Services (AGCAS) that involved a question and answer session with senior academics who had all been involved in recruiting for new lecturers. Valuable insights were gained on what postdoctoral researchers should be doing to enhance their chances of securing a lectureship with a focus on applications and interviews. There was also discussion on the possibility of career breaks and part time work and issues of when, and even if, you should aim for an academic position. A summary document of this event has now been written (Academic Career Planning from AGCAS). You can also access further resources on academic career planning on our Research Staff careers website.

Calum Leckie

UCL Careers Adviser

‘Leadership in Action’ course from Vitae

Interesting upcoming workshop from the researcher development organisation Vitae coming up in June:

Do you want to…
develop your leadership skills?
explore the concept of leadership?
build confidence in your own leadership style?

Vitae is running the ‘Leadership in action’ course on 8-11 June following the success of the pilot last year. The course is for both postgraduate researchers and research staff. It is a three-day residential course which will allow you to explore and develop your leadership skills. This course takes a ‘learning by doing’ approach. There will be presentations on leadership theory, but for the most part, you will be actively participating in the sessions and activities.

The course will be led by a team of experienced facilitators who will work with you throughout the three days to support your learning. They will be from a variety of backgrounds with experience in leadership, academia and other sectors. Places are limited so book now!

Posted by Calum Leckie, UCL Careers Service

Career Planning Beyond Academia – Workshop

Only a few slots remain at this session taking place from 9:30am – 11:30am on Monday 22 March 2010.

The title of this session is pretty self explanatory, and is recommended if you are planning on leaving academia in the near future, or even just considering the possibility of doing so.

Register for the event via http://courses.grad.ucl.ac.uk/courses/course-details.pht?course_ID=940

Want to improve your chances of remaining in academia?

For many PhD students a successful career in academic research is their preferred career goal. However, most of you will be keenly aware of the challenges that this will entail, not least the pressure to publish and build your research reputation and the competition for permanent positions and research funding.

Help is at hand, however, in the form of a forthcoming careers event called ‘Careers in focus: Careers in Academia’ from the researcher development organisation ‘Vitae’.

The event takes place on the 30^th March 2010 in Manchester and provides you with an opportunity to network with academics and get some ‘top tips’ for a successful career first hand, find out what life is really like as a postdoctoral researcher and gain practical insight into making successful applications for research positions and grant funding. More information is available at their event webpage.

If you don’t fancy a trip to sunny Manchester then there are similar events closer to home; The ‘Getting into Academia’ forum at UCL takes place on the 17th May 2010 and there are regular ‘Academic Career Planning’ workshops delivered by the UCL Careers Service.  Details of such activities are advertised via the UCL Graduate School website.

Calum Leckie

UCL Careers Adviser